Stockton aren't getting 5 new buses (sadly, given the depot is in desperate need of investment), those 5 'newer' buses are the remaining Tridents.
As for Newcastle, people needs to remember that those depots were heavily invested in between 2003 and 2011, compared to other depots (Stockton received just 22 buses in the same period, the least of any depot).
RE: Stagecoach North East - Latest